Positioning mechanism for linearly slidable members

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for positioning a linearly slidable member, such as a pouring tube or a slidable gate, mounted on the bottom wall of a vessel. The mechanism includes a linear-motion device mounted on the side wall of the vessel, and push-pull linkage means mechanically connected to the linear-motion device and to the slidable member. The linkage means runs in tracks which extend around the lower edge of the vessel and transmit up-and-down movement of the linear motion device to the slidable member. The latter moves in a direction approaching the horizontal.

Unite States Patent [191 Bode, Jr. I

[ 51 Oct. 15, 1974 POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR LllNEARLY SLIDABLE MEMBERS [75] Inventor: Charles H. Bode, Jr., Bethel Borough, Pa.

[73] Assignee: United States Steel Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pa.

122] Filed: Oct. 26, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 300,945

[52] US. Cl. 222/561, 164/281 [51] Int. Cl B22d 37/00 [58] Field of Search 222/561, DIG. 7; 74/512, 74/ 501 R; 164/281 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 311,902 2/1885 Lewis 222/D1G. 7 2,446,415 8/1948 Flurscheim et al. 74/501 X 2,475,527 7/1949 Stilwell 74/501 UX 2,587,454 2/1952 Fletcher et a1 74/501 X 3,352,465 11/1967 Shapland 222/D1G. 7 3,501,068 3/1970 Shapland 222/D1G. 7 3,563,938 2/1971 Gallucci et a1 266/38 3,583,692 6/1971 Urso 266/38 Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerDavid A. Scherbel Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Walter P. Wood [57] ABSTRACT A mechanism for positioning a linearly slidable member, such as a pouring tube or a slidable gate, mounted on the bottom wall of a vessel. The mechanism includes a linear-motion device mounted on the side wall of the'vessel, and push-pull linkage means mechanically connected to the linear-motion device and to the slidable member. The linkage means runs in tracks which extend around the lower edge of the vessel and transmit up-and-down movement of the linear motion device to the slidable member. The latter moves in a direction approaching the horizontal.

3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PAIENYEuam 1 51m 3.841.538 sum saw :5

mm RW 9v @w w v "I a m K Ill LE: Q9 w ww 1 I I 1 i l 1 r lll M \m m HW HH mm W IN. I I l I 1| I K Q @K POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR LINEARLY SLIDABLE MEMBERS This invention relates to an improved mechanism for positioning a member which is mounted for linear sliding movement on the bottom wall of a vessel.

The mechanism is useful, for example, for positioning a pouring tube or a slidable gate on a bottom-pour vessel (ladle or tundish) from which liquid metal is teemed. As applied to a pouring tube, the mechanism is particularly useful in conjunction with a tube which feeds liquid metal into an inclined continuous-casting mold, such as that shown in Rossi U.S. Pat. No. 3,391,725. As applied to a slidable gate, the mechanism is useful in conjunction with a gate of any of several known designs, typical of which are those shown in Shapland US. Pat. No. 3,352,465. Heretofore the mechanism employed for positioning a slidably mounted pouring tube or gate usually has included a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston, or equivalent linearmotion device, which extends in the direction of travel of the slidable member, usually horizontal. The cylinder is located below the level of the vessel bottom, where access is difficult. If the cylinder projects outside the confines of the vessel, the cylinder and hoses attached to it are an obstacle and are vulnerable to hot metal.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved mechanism for positioning a linearly slidable member in which I mount the cylinder or other linear-motion device on a side wall of the vessel, where it extends at an angle less than a straight angle with respect to the direction of travel of the slidable member, thereby overcoming problems encountered with a cylinder mounted on the bottom wall.

A more specific object is to provide an improved operating or positioning mechanism in which the linearmotion device for propelling the slidable member is mounted on a side wall of the vessel and mechanically connected with the member through linkage means for translating up-and-down movement of the linearmotion device to movement of the gate in a different direction, horizontal or approaching horizontal.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view of my operating mechanism as applied to a pouring tube used with an inclined continuous-casting mold;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic vertical sectional view of my operating mechanism as applied to a slidable gate;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section on line llllll of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section on line lV-lV of FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 shows portions of a bottom-pour tundish l and an inclined continuous-casting mold 12. The mold may be of a construction similar to that shown in the aforementioned Rossi patent; hence the description is not repeated. The tundish includes a metal shell 13, a refractory lining l4, and a nozzle in its bottom wall. The nozzle is illustrated as located at the edge where the bottom and side walls of the tundish intersect, but it may be located anywhere in the bottom wall. Beneath the nozzle, the tundish has a mounting plate 16 fixed to its bottom wall and a frame 17 fixed to the mounting plate. The frame carries springpressed levers 18, a slidable refractory gate 19 for controlling flow of material from the tundish, and a refractory top plate 20. The

- the plane in which FIG. 1 is taken, and the operating mechanism is not shown, but again it may be similar to that shown in the Shapland patent.

In accordance with my invention, the undeside of frame 17 carries a pair of opposed rails 24 on which I mount an interconnected puller bar 25 and pusher bar 26. A refractory cup 27 is slidably mounted on rails 24 between the two bars. The cup carries an inclined refractory pouring tube 28, which in its operating or pouring position extends into the mold 12 to a level below the normal level of liquid metal in the mold.

Also in accordance with my invention, the operating mechanism for sliding the pouring tube in and out of the mold includes a double-acting fluid-pressure cylinder 30 and reciprocable piston and piston rod 31, or equivalent linear-motion device, pivoted at its upper end to a bracket 32 on the side wall of the tundish. A pair of spaced apart opposed tracks 33 extend from beneath the cylinder to the rails 24, curving around the lower edge of the tundish. A transverse bar 34 is attached to the lower end of the piston rod 31 and its ends extend into the upper portions of tracks 33. Pushpull linkages 35, which ride in tracks 33, mechanically connect bar 34 with the pusher bar 26, and hence with the pouring tube. The tracks serve as guides for the respective linkages. Alternatively the bars may be external of the tracks with only guide blocks or rollers in the tracks, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show my improved operating mechanism used to position slidable gates 19a and 19b which control flow of material through a nozzle 15a of a vessel 10a. The linear-motion device 30a is similar to that used in the embodiment already described; hence the description is not repeated. A pair of spaced-apart tracks 33a, which curve around the lower edge of the vessel, are supported on the side and bottom walls of the vessel on brackets 39. An upper transverse bar 34a is attached to the lower end of the piston rod 31a. Rollers 40 are journaled to ends of bar 34a and extend through slots 41 in the confronting; faces of tracks 33a at their upper ends. Push-pull linkages 35a are attached to the ends of bar 34a and extend downwardly therefrom through the respective tracks 330. A lower transverse bar 42 is attached to the lower ends of the two linkages 35a. Rollers 43 are journaled to the ends of bar 42 and extend through slots 44 in the confronting faces of tracks 33a at their lower ends. The portions of the tracks between the ends of slots 41 and 44 are closed, whereby each track forms a housing of rectangular cross section enclosing its linkage (FIG. 4).

The gates 19a and 19b are illustrated as of the slidethrough type, in which each gate is either a blank to be positioned in line with the nozzle 15a to prevent flow of material therethrough, or an orifice gate to be positioned in line with the nozzle to permit flow. The gate 19a, which is positioned in line with the nozzle, is supported on spring-pressed levers 18a (FIG; 3), which likewise may be similar to those shown in the aforementioned Shapland patent. The gate 1%, which next is to be positioned in line with the nozzle, is supported in a ready position on rails 240. When the nozzle is to be opened or closed, a new orifice gate or a new blank is pushed from the ready position into line with the nozzle and displaces the gate previously in line with the nozzle onto rails 45. Ultimately, the displaced gate falls from the ends of the latter rails. The mechanism illustrated includes a pusher bar 260 adjustably attached to the lower transverse bar 42 for pushing gates from the ready position into line with the nozzle, but no puller bar. Nevertheless it is apparent the mechanism could be used to operate a reciprocating slidable gate by adding a puller bar as shown in FIG. 1. I have illustrated this embodiment as equipped with a pouring tube 46 supported on spring-pressed levers 47, but the tube is optional.

From the foregoing description it is seen that my invention affords a simple arrangement of operating mechanism for positioning a linearly slidable member mounted on the bottom wall of a vessel and locating the mechanism where it is easily accessible and not an obstacle. The invention also affords a mechanism which is accessible whereby an operator may conveniently insert or remove gates from the ready position. The mechanism has broad utility for positioning or operating members which are supported for sliding movement on the bottom of a vessel, and my invention is not restricted to the specific environments illustrated.

I claim:

1. The combination, with a vessel which has an outlet in its bottom wall and a slidable member mounted on the bottom wall and adapted to move into and out of alignment with said outlet;

said slidable member including interconnected puller and pusher bars, a refractory cup between said bars, and a refractory pouring tube extending from a side wall of said cup at an angle inclined to the horizontal;

of an improved mechanism for positioning said member, said mechanism comprising:

a linear motion device;

means attaching said device to said vessel with the device extending in a direction approximately parallel with the side wall of said vessel; and linkage means extending around the lower edge of said vessel and mechanically connecting said device and said member;

whereby up and down movement of said device moves said member in a direction which extends at an angle less than a straight angle to the direction of movement of said device, and whereby said device can raise or lower said pouring tube with respect to an inclined mold.

2. A combination as defined in claim 7 in which said device is a double-acting fluid-pressure cylinder and piston.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said mechanism comprises in addition tracks extending from a level adjacent the lower end of said device and curving around the lower edge of said vessel, said linkage means being guided by said tracks. 

1. The combination, with a vessel which has an outlet in its bottom wall and a slidable member mounted on the bottom wall and adapted to move into and out of alignment with said outlet; said slidable member including interconnected puller and pusher bars, a refractory cup between said bars, and a refractory pouring tube extending from a side wall of said cup at an angle inclined to the horizontal; of an improved mechanism for positioning said member, said mechanism comprising: a linear motion device; means attaching said device to said vessel with the device extending in a direction approximately parallel with the side wall of said vessel; and linkage means extending around the lower edge of said vessel and mechanically connecting said device and said member; whereby up and down movement of said device moves said member in a direction which extends at an angle less than a straight angle to the direction of movement of said device, and whereby said device can raise or lower said pouring tube with respect to an inclined mold.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 7 in which said device is a double-acting fluid-pressure cylinder and piston.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1 in which said mechanism comprises in addition tracks extending from a level adjacent the lower end of said device and curving around the lower edge of said vessel, said linkage means being guided by said tracks. 